Monday, September 12, 2011

So here's one I've been wanting to post about forever. I had a cassette of it from long ago, but without info. Usually a simple Google search will find me an album cover and other data. Except in this case, it was as if the album didn't exist. I couldn't find anything about it anywhere. I asked Midwest Mike, The Alaskan Connection and others, but no one seemed to know anything about it. When that happens, I begin to question the tape markings. Was it mislabeled? Was it ever actually released? Did I get a demo album way back when?

Then, about 2 weeks ago, I received a note out of the blue asking if I was interested in knowing more about the album (it's in the main list and I was asking for info). Of course I said yes! But that trail seemed to go cold as I never heard back - until today, but he had already sold it! On a whim, I decided to Google it again - and lo and behold - there it was, sold on ebay just 3 days ago! So I have to figure it was the same gentleman. That's pure speculation, but whatever, the ebay auction had photos and some info! So thank you to the ebay seller (blind-boy-records) - and if it's the same person who contacted me - thanks again!

So it appears Window are a San Francisco / Bay Area based group, and they released this one very good progressive rock album. Honestly, I was certain I was going to find out the band were from Illinois or Missouri, because it does indeed have that Midwest progressive rock sound, especially apparent in the vocal sections. The mix of complex progressive rock, piano jazz-rock and AOR FM radio ambition only cements the comparison. Excellent electric / acoustic guitar work, flute, tuned percussion, with a horn section and complex rhythms is what you'll find on "Empyreal Ballet". Curiously for a band of its type, there are no keyboards (beyond the piano of course). http://cdreissuewishlist.blogspot.com/2011/09/window-usa.html

A1 The NewsA2 Danche Through the StormA3 PhantomA4 The Empyreal BalletB1 NightwatchB2 Peter Gunn on MarsB3 Blue SpaceB4 Like It or Not

Not all the way through it yet but I gotta say yowza! Pretty great stuff so far, and once again thank you very much for your selfless contribution.

As much as I love the good folks who synth up their tunes, I'm really not missing it here. It's kind of refreshing, actually. Wow this is excellent, though.

Sometimes looking at what is nearly forgotten and what is remembered by everyone can be a good reminder as to what a crazy, nonsensical world we live in. I'm just really so surprised at how good this is.

Forgive me I really shouldn't post comments while listening to the music--I tend to ramble.

Haha! Music is my food! The thing is I don't actually know anyone personally who is into the whole 70's prog scene, so blogs like this are the only available windows I have to that incredible world, and I was born in '83 so I don't have much of a helpful frame of reference. Whenever I try and turn people on to it, it usually just turns into this awkward interaction where they're trying not to offend me with their disinterest while I try not to be overbearing with my opinions. It's obviously just one of those things that's not for everyone. At any rate, I'm eternally grateful for the opportunities that bloggers such as yourselves provide for clueless but devoted fanatics such as myself. The thing is, its not like these are albums that I would inevitably run into on my own later on, these are remarkable treasures that I know I'd never in a billion years be so fortunate as to enjoy without your efforts and the efforts of many others like you. It's the least I can do to remind you of how awesome the work you're doing is, and I'm sure I don't speak only for myself on that.

Hi,Dr Dopo.When I read your comment,I feel that my brain is getting cooler and cooler because you use many difficult words for me...hahaha...You were born in 1983 ???Oh my....after 20 years of my birth,you were born,weren't you ?I believe strongly that young guys like you will continue burning prog flames forever......

Wow! Dr Dopo--born in 83 and loving prog? That's beautiful... I wonder a lot about why we are so drawn to this music... I've tried to explain it and understand it but it still puzzles me why others are so cold to this sound... Is it us that are the strange ones? the anomalies? I talk to my wife about it every day, but I know she can't 'get' it, she says, 'it sounds like the same album every time' or 'sounds the same as every song you play'... But to me it's like James Joyce and Ulysses, it's such an advanced art form it's hard to learn to like it. Am I wrong? Again, I feel people like Shige and Osurec, are like the monks of the middle ages who copied the ancient manuscripts from greece and rome knowing how valuable they were to the future when everyone around them couldn't read or write.